Bullied: A True Story based on the Life of Frankie Cappello

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Four Reasons for Happiness Productions is proud to release BULLIED: A True Story based on the Life of Frankie Cappello, a controversial short film that depicts a young victim of verbal and physical cruelty at the hands of his peers. Written and produced by Frankie Cappello, aka Frankie C, and directed by Kathrine Narducci, the film stars Yianni Vasis as “Frankie,” a young boy growing up in Little Italy, an Italian neighborhood in New York City, in the late 70s’ and early 80s’; a time when being different was even less accepted than it is today. Audiences are whisked into the hidden world of kid-on-kid abuse that many school-aged children, even today, are forced to endure when their parents aren’t around the see. BULLIED: A True Story based on the Life of Frankie Cappello is currently touring film festivals across the USA. A special NYC screening will take place at Anthology Film Archives (32 Second Avenue @ 2nd Street) on Saturday, February 16th at 1:30 pm.

“I was bullied as a kid and writing this short film forced me to relive one of the many traumatizing moments of my life,” explains Frankie Cappello, a New York-based actor, writer, producer and director. “Fortunately, I survived the years of torment because I was somehow able to find strength from within. Not all kids are so strong, and they need to know there are people out there who can help.”

Bullying continues to be a major problem for today’s youth. Despite all the debate and awareness around the issue today, one out of every four children in the USA is still being bullied by other kids at school. While most reported incidents happen in school buildings, a significant percentage also happen in places like on the bus or, as in BULLIED, on the playground.

A large majority of incidents go unreported as kids are often ashamed to report that they’ve been bullied or worry that they are somehow to blame. Many children become experts at keeping it all inside.

“Parents must remain vigilant and ensure that their kids are not silent victims,” Frankie continues. “They also need to see to it that their children are not the ones terrorizing others.”

BULLIED: A True Story based on the Life of Frankie Cappello includes a powerful q&a at the end with the actors in the film discussing their own experiences with bullying. “If you are being bullied or see someone being bullied, stand up and say something,” advises Yianni Vasis. And for those doing the bullying, he says, “Stop bullying. Starting Today.”

Also in the film is a conversation between Frankie Cappello and celebrated gay author and journalist Michael Musto, discussing Frankie’s experience as a gay youth being bullied. His message for children being bullied today is “Be You, Do You, Love You!”